Filter socks while on vacation?

[GoFish]

What do people do while on extended vacations with filters socks? Do you leave them in or take them out or get someone to clean and cycle new ones in?
My next vacation is 2 1/2 weeks. In the past I've had someone take care of them but this time around it's a little more inconvenient to find someone to do this. Last tank I ran 2 socks, both 4" and they lasted about 7-10 days before getting clogged up. So asking for help to clean them once a week wasn't a big deal. Now with the new tank I get about 72 hours before it starts to back up on a single 4" sock. I attribute the quicker clogging to carbon dosing. Is it a fair assumption that carbon dosing clogs filter socks faster? If I get someone to cycle new socks in they literally can't be late. At 73 hours the sock is clogged.

So should I take it out or leave it in, not sure what my biggest concern would be with either option.

[Aquattro]

I would either leave it in, or take it off :) I don't think it matters. Lots of "reasons" for both sides. I leave mine for 2 weeks often enough when I'm home, I wouldn't worry about vacation.

[Bblinks]

I would either just take it out or just run a felt material filter sock that will not plug up.

[rsisvixen]

Can always get the new Theiling Roller Mat, self replacing filter sock, it will replace itself automatically while you are away :)

[Reefer Rob]

I always take them out when I go on vacation. The less to go wrong when you're away the better.

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Yes, I would recommend taking them out before going on vacation too.

[kien]

I never liked asking my tank sitter(s) to care for the socks so I always took them out. I never liked seeing them overflow so can't imagine the extra stress that would put on my tank sitter if they saw that (even if I told them to ignore it). This was three years ago and I haven't put them back on yet. :lol:

[GoFish]

Sorry shoulda mentioned the socks I use are felt and the tank is a custom designed all-in-one (Theiling roller mat won't fit). I've tried the mesh socks but they last 2 days max, or less if I clean the glass. Anyone need any mesh socks? I have 2 used used once each you can have them for free :)

The issue with just leaving the sock in is that when it overflows over the emergency it causes the ATO to fill a big void in the return section and ends up overfilling the back chamber, salinity drops a from 1.026 to 1.024, ATO alarm goes off and that's all I know, this is when I take the sock out put a new one in and have to wait a couple days for the water level to go back down so I can turn the ATO back on...

I could remove the sock pretend to go on vacation, see what happens... Maybe throw some filter floss down the hole to catch the bigger debris. My biggest concern with going sock-less is how the tank was designed. The filter sock section is separated from the skimmer section with a wall, that wall has a hole in it, which leads directly into the skimmer intake. With no sock, either the crap falls to the bottom of the sock section OR it makes a roger and goes right into a filter on my skimmer intake, 2 1/2 weeks of this would most likely completely clog the skimmer intake. I'll try and find a picture if that doesn't make sense...

[iamfrontosa]

i usually snipped of a tiny piece around the plastic holder to let the water flow through faster and won't cause overflow.

[mark]

I'd always remove mine. Wouldn't have been a big deal to leave though as when they plugged up, water would just overflow into the sump.

[Aquattro]

I'd always remove mine. Wouldn't have been a big deal to leave though as when they plugged up, water would just overflow into the sump.

Same here. In fact, one is overflowing now.

[GoFish]

i usually snipped of a tiny piece around the plastic holder to let the water flow through faster and won't cause overflow.
This suggestion it gave me an idea, Thank you :)
And to the other input as well, it all helps! When i first made the post i was open to doing either, but came to conclusion i was 98% sure that removing the sock entirely would let too much junk flow into the skimmer intake (pics to follow about what i mean)

Instead of snipping a piece of the plastic i was thinking about drilling smaller holes in order to keep un-eaten pellets out of the rear chamber. Seeing as how i have a 1" return would need to snip or drill about 1 cubic inch worth of the plastic trim out

Here's the sock with emergency cut-out (that I didn't wanna rely on due to salinity issue mentioned earlier)...
http://i.imgur.com/YSRtXhM.jpg
Top down view, the wall in between has a 4" hole cut directly in the center of the skimmer screen/intake...
http://i.imgur.com/XeWaG8L.jpg
Skimmer screen (tulle, clamato bottle top) Oh look a snail, not so fast
http://i.imgur.com/cjGYQzC.jpg
Stuff needed (needle, thread, razor or scissors, and the blue plastic screen used for crafts can't remember the name)
http://i.imgur.com/57kRtZB.jpg
Line up 1" squares and cut felt out with razor
http://i.imgur.com/JWP6bOW.jpg
Line up squres with holes and sew. tadda
http://i.imgur.com/Un3IgsZ.jpg

So i dont know if this will work as its supposed to yet, but i dont see why not. I'll do a water change tomorrow and basic maintenance as i would before leaving and then not touch the tank (gonna be hard). Carbon dosing is staying on, fingers crossed

Phos: 0.00 (salifert)
Nitrate 0 (api) I know, API...but its all i have and never worry about nitrate anyway

Will update this in a few weeks

[Reef-Geek]

Nice sewing work!
But I don't see the point, as you said the sock will be clogged in 3-4 days and lose it's value anyway, why don't you just not using it at all.